Cost of school dinners in Denbighshire is set to go up

A rise in food costs is behind the move, which will come into force next Monday, April 25.

This change will see dinners in primary schools now costing £2.45 per day, with those in secondary schools costing £2.60, an increase of 5p.

Last July, it was announced the cost of school meals in Denbighshire was to go up by 20p.

This was the first rise the council had introduced in three years.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We recognise that the current financial costs of living is worrying for residents.

“The increase we have had to introduce due to the rise in food costs, but the cost of a school meal in Denbighshire remains relatively low compared to other local authority areas.

"Catering Services have been working closely with suppliers to ensure we are receiving best value and we have the facility, via our procurement partner, to benchmark prices being paid by other school meal providers across the country and are satisfied that we are receiving the best prices in what is an increasingly volatile market for food pricing and supply.

The cost of school dinners in Denbighshire will be going up

"Our service, recognised as one of the top six best performing services in the UK by The Association for Public Service Excellence based upon comparisons with other school meals services from across the UK in 2019/20, is confident that the price is still value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils."

“We also continue to provide free school meals for pupils who meet the criteria and in February this year we provided for 4,172 pupils."

There is other available support available for parents and pupils, according to the county council, through the pupil development grant.

If a child attends a school in Denbighshire and parents receive a qualifying benefit, they may be entitled to a grant towards the cost of things such as a school uniform, school sports kit, sports outside of school, uniforms for wider activities, equipment for activities to support the curriculum and equipment for out-of-school hours trips.

READ: School meals to go up by 20p in Denbighshire

Pupil development grant applications for the 2022/23 school year will open from July 1.

"All year groups are now eligible for the grant," added the council spokesperson.

"For 2022/23 only, the amount awarded will be increased to £225, and £300 for Year 7.

"Families are entitled to claim once per child, per school year.

"Online applications for the current 2021/22 school year remain open until June 30."

To access further information on how to apply for the pupil development grant, visit https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/education-and-schools/grants-and-funding/school-uniform-grant.aspx